LGBTQIA+ community
Many lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and other sexually or gender diverse (LGBTQIA+) people experience stigma, discrimination, social exclusion and isolation. At the end of life, these barriers to community participation and engagement may prevent LGBTQIA+ people from accessing medical, social, psychological and spiritual care when required, leading to poorer health outcomes.
Many of the experiences of LGBTQIA+ people who receive care at the end of life, as well as carers, partners, family of choice, are similar to those of non-LGBTQIA+ people.
However, LGBTQIA+ people who may have previously faced discrimination in healthcare can carry their experiences forward into palliative care. LGBTQIA+ people may also have specific needs and experience particular challenges in accessing end of life care due to their gender, sexuality or body diversity.
Queensland Health is committed to ensuring care at the end of life is available to all LGBTQIA+ people with life-limiting conditions, and is accessible, inclusive and affirms their right to dignity, respect and confidentiality.
Planning ahead
It can be hard to talk about what might happen if you become very unwell. Advance care planning can give you and your loved ones peace of mind when they know what your wishes are so they can be respected.
Advance care planning can help mitigate discrimination and ensure that same-sex partners and other family members of choice are involved in care at the end-of-life and decision-making. For people with capacity, this can be formalised by appointing a substitute decision-maker through an enduring power of attorney, or by completing an advance health directive.
Find more about advance care planning for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Find out more information about advance care planning:
Other resources
- Financial and legal matters
- Support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people
- End-of-life care
- Aged care for LGBTI elders: Getting started with My Aged Care (PDF, 835KB)
- Find a care provider
Language disclaimer
Queensland Health recognises that language is always changing, and some LGBTQIA+ individuals might not use the terms mentioned above. We use the term LGBTQIA+ as a collective term to recognise all LGBTQIA+ people, including our First Nations LGBTQIA+ people, Sistergirls and Brotherboys. We also acknowledge many older LGBTQIA+ people find the term 'queer' offensive.
It's crucial to respect everyone's right to self-identify, especially in healthcare settings.